There’s no party crasher who knows how to ruin a good time more than the mosquito. No matter what you’re doing outdoors, buzzing, swarming, biting mosquitoes are sure to put a damper on it. But mosquitoes are way more than just a party pooper. In fact, because of the deadly diseases they spread, they kill more people every single year than any other animal in the world.
Here in Washington State, we can sometimes give even the Southeast a run for its money when it comes to mosquito activity. We’ve got more than 40 different mosquito species in our state, and we’ve had significant outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease as well. Let’s talk a little about these dangerous and infuriating pests.
Mosquitoes – Where They Hang Out
It may surprise you to learn that mosquitoes aren’t primarily parasitic. In fact, males never feed on anything other than nectar, sap, and other plant juices. Females primarily feed on these as well. The only time they bite people is when they’re needing sufficient protein to create and lay eggs, which they get from the blood of animals, including us.
There are a few areas mosquitoes like to hang out. They love to hide in vegetation like trees, bushes, flowers, and tall grass, which gives them both protection and food. Another place you’re likely to find mosquitoes is near standing water because that’s where females lay their eggs. Because there’s vegetation and standing water just about everywhere in Washington State, unless you’re at high altitude, you could run across mosquitoes anywhere from forests to swamps to lakes to your backyard – especially if your lawn has any kind of standing water in it.
Mosquito Prevention Tips
There are three main things you can do to keep mosquitoes at bay: reduce vegetation, eliminate standing water, and install natural repellants.
Reduce Vegetation:
Trimming back branches, keeping grass short, and ensuring landscaping is kept in check can both avoid giving mosquitoes a home on your property and reduce the food that attracts them. Keeping trees trimmed also reduces shade, which can in turn help moisture evaporate more quickly, further discouraging mosquito activity.
Eliminate Standing Water:
The average mosquito doesn’t travel more than a few miles from where it was born, so getting rid of breeding sites is perhaps the biggest thing you can do to keep them away. Eliminate things like pet bowls, kiddie pools, birdbaths, and empty containers that may accumulate water. If you don’t want to get rid of your birdbaths or pet bowls, just make sure to change them every day or two. Also, make sure stopped-up storm drains, clogged gutters, etc. aren’t collecting rainwater without your knowledge.
Install Natural Repellants:
There are lots of different herbs and aromatic plants that mosquitoes don’t like, including citronella, basil, catnip, lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint. Planting these around your property could help repel mosquitoes.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes
If you’ve implemented all these prevention measures and still can’t seem to get the mosquitoes off your property, it might be time to call in the professionals. Here at Alta Pest Control, our customer-first approach is as effective as it is friendly and professional. We’ll work with you until your pest problems are eliminated – no matter how tough it is or how long it takes. Both our residential andcommercial pest control processes include thorough inspections, effective treatments, and regularly scheduled follow-up services to make sure that whatever pest was ailing you stay gone for good. So give us a call at (866) 290-9502 or visit our contact page at Alta Pest Control to schedule your inspection today.
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